Air charger



Oct.

J. F. CLEARMAN AIR CHARGER Filed Dec. 19, 1950' Uilm 1NVENTOR Jm ZZM/m BY Jam, aww, m 1d/7% ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 25, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to water pressure systems of the type embodying a pump for delivering water from a source of supply to a pressure tank from which water is distributed by air pressure, and in particular to an air charger for feeding air into the system.

Such water pressure systems include a water tank to store water under pressure and a pump to furnish Water to the tank from a source of supply. The water in the tank is maintained under pressure by a body of compressed air located between the top surface of the water and the top of the tank. This air pressure is utilized to force the water held in the tank through the various pipes which constitute the system. As water is withdrawn from the tank, the air pressure will diminish. The pump operates responsive to a predetermined low air pressure point to rell the tank with water from a source of supply until the air pressure reaches a predetermined high point. It is commonly accepted in the art to arrange the pump to automatically cut-on at the predetermined low air pressure point and automatically cut-oi at the predetermined high air pressure point. It is readily apparent from the circumstance above enumerated that it is essential that the amount of air in the tank be maintained substantially constant or at least within certain limits depending upon the individual case. However, it is well known that in a system of the type now under discussion there are normal air losses from the tank. The major portion of these losses in almost every instance stems from the absorption of the air by the water held in the tank. To a much lesser extent air is st by leakage and in some instances diffusion. For the recited reasons it is necessary to charge or replenish air to the tank.

With most types of air chargers or replenishers, the air is supplied to the tank through the pump or else a connection is required between the air replenishing unit and the pump.

According to the present invention an air charging or replenishing unit is provided which will automatically introduce new air into the system whenever the pump is operated. Additionally, no air is drawn into the system through the pump and there is no connection necessary between the unit and the pump.

This is accomplished in the present invention by establishing an auxiliary tank in communication with the storage tank by use of a conduit containing an air check Valve means and a bypass valve means. The several members are so arranged that whenever the pump supplies water 2 to the storage tank, the water will ow through the conduit thereby drawing new air into the auxiliary tank and into the system. The new air is eventually passed into the storage tank through the conduitas the Water is withdrawn and forced throughout the system.

It is an object of this invention to provide an air charger for an air-water pressure system that will be more simplified, more economical, and require less supervision than any which has heretofore been proposed or available.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following specification when considered in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing one form of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation showing a modified form of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section showing the details of connection between the storage tank and the auxiliary tank;

Figure 4 is a view in vertical section through the bypass valve means taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section through the check Valve for the aspirator means.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, Figure l represents an embodiment of the present invention. A conventional pressure tank i0 is provided into which water can be pumped and stored under pressure. The tank is connected through inlet ll to the discharge side of a pump, the intake side of which is arranged with a source of supply, as for example a well, in a suitable manner. The pump is operated by an electric motor which is energized by a pressure controlled switch. The arrangement is well known in the art and is such that when the pressure within the tank l0 falls below a predetermined low value, the switch is automatically closed and remains closed until the action of the pump has forced a sufficient amount of water into the tank ill so that the pressure is built up to a predetermined high value at which point the switch automatically opens. It is of course understood that the switch serves to connect the motor to a suitable source of electricity. Water is forced to ow from tank Il) through discharge outlet I2 and` through the remainder of the system whenever desired.

For the reasons previously given it is necessary to provide some means for feeding or charging new air into the tank l0. As can be noted in Figure 1, the tank i0 contains a supply of water I3 for use throughout the system. Located between the top surface of the body of water I3 and the top of the tank is a body of compressed air I4 which eiectively furnishes the pressure to discharge the water I3. This body or" air lf3 is compressed as the pump lls the tank lil. The condition of the system as shown in Figure l is that the water I3 in tank Ill is under a predetermined high pressure exerted by the air Ill.

An auxiliary tank I5 is mounted directly above the tank It and in effect the two tanks constitute a unitary structure. Connecting the bottom of the auxiliary tank I5 with a point designated as I6 on tank I8 is an assembly I7. The signincance of the selection and location of point i6 will be considered in detail hereinafter. The assembly il' includes a pipe I8 having one end connected to the bottom of auxiliary tank I5 by a coupling i9 and the other end connected to one side of a member 2U to be considered in detail in conjunction with Figures 3, 4 and 5. The other side of member is coupled with one end of a pipe 2l, the other end of which is connected to point I6. intermediate tap-off pipes 22 and 23 are placed between pipe it and member 2t and between pipe 2I and member 29, respectively. Projecting from one face of member 20 is an air check valve 261 and from another face, a plug 25. As shown in Figure l, the auxiliary tank I5 contains a body of water 26 and a body of compressed air 21.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 2 the auxiliary tank 3l) is separate from the tank Ill. The withdrawal of water from the auxiliary tank 3i] occurs at the bottom as indicated at 3 I.

Turning now to Figure 3, the details of member 2l) will be discussed. The member 20 is connected to the auxiliary tank l5 by pipes I@ and 22 as previously mentioned. The pipes I8 and 22 are joined to one end of bores di? and di, respectively, in member 2G. r)This is accomplished by coupling in a suitable manner. The inside of bore l0 is built up so that its cross-sectional area gradually decreases from one end of the bore [it to a point 42 intermediate the ends of the bore ai) where it is at a minimum. From this point l2 to the other end of the bore 48 it increases. At point 42 the bore lll] is in communication with air check valve 2li by means of passage d3. The details of air check valve 24 will be considered in conjunction with Figure 5. The other end of bore ILE! is connected to pipe 2l which is joined to the tank lil at point I6. This is effected by suitable couplings. The other end of bore lll is connected to pipe 23 by coupling in a suitable manner. The bore il is interrupted intermediate its ends by screw-threaded plug 25 containing the by-pass Valve means.

This by-pass arrangement is included in plug 25 in the manner shown in Figure 4. The bore t! is broken at one point intermediate its ends and its two portions are laterally offset from each other. The plug 25 is provided at its inner end with a through passage running diametrically. This passage is so prepared that it rests at an incline when in position. The passage has a reduced section 5G which connects with the portion of bore lll leading directly to the auxiliary tank I5. The passage also has an enlarged section 5I which connects with the portion of bore dI leading directly to tank It. intermediate the reduced and enlarged sections 53 and 5I is a tapered section 52 which constitutes a valve seat for a ball 53 adapted to act as a Valve head and contained in the passage.

The screw-threaded air check valve as shown in Figure 5 consists of a body member 66 having an opening Eil formed in one end. The opening GI is arranged to be in alignment with passage Q3 in member 28 when the unit is assembled. The other end of the valve is provided with an internally threaded passage G2. In between the opening @i and passage 62 is a valve seat 63. A valve head Gil is adapted to cooperate with the seat 63. A. valve stem $5 is fixed to the valve head till and a screw-threaded element 6G provided with apertures to pass air engages the stem. A pin El is rigidly mounted on the stem 65 and serves to hold spring t; in position. Consequently any pressure exerted on the valve head 64 through passage 62 is counteracted to a degree by spring GS which tends to maintain the head 64 seated.

In operation, the system is placed in the condition shcwn in Figure 1 by the pump supplying water from a source such as a well. In this condition the air E4 above the water I3 in the tank lil is at a preselected high pressure value. Also the air 2 above the water 26 in auxiliary tank I5 is at a high pressure value. Both the air valve 2d and by-pass valve contained in the plug 25 are closed. In addition the assembly II is filled with water. The system is in a condition of equilibrium and it will remain so as long as no water is withdrawn from outlet I2 or introduced through inlet I I. As soon as a small quantity of water is used somewhere in the system, it will result in water being withdrawn from the tank I8 through outlet I2. This will unbalance the state of equilibrium presently existing and water will slowly flow from the auxiliary tank I5 to the tank IU through pipe I8, bore 40, and pipe 2 I. By reason of the small cross section in bore 4G at l2 it would require an extremely long time for the system to regain equilibrium if a large quantity of water were rapidly withdrawn from tank I0. Consequently, in situations of this nature the water will now from the auxiliary tank I5 to the tank IFJ through pipes I8 and 22, bore 5I and the by-pass valve in plug 25, and pipes 23 and 2 I. Inasmuch as the pipe IS is connected to the bottom of the auxiliary tank I5, all of the water held therein will discharge into tank I through assembly Il before the excess air contained therein will pass into tank I0. It is of course understood that the term excess air refers to that air which is drawn into the auxiliary tank I5 through the assembly I'I during the refilling of the tank I0 as hereinafter described. Withdrawal of the water from tank I continues until the air pressure above the water reaches a predetermined low value at which time the pump will automatically commence operation as hereinbefore described. As soon as the level of the water in tank IU passes point It during the reiilling of the tank I5 by the pump, water will begin to now through pipe 2l, bore 4B, and pipe I8 into the auxiliary tank I5. As the water ows through bore it it creates a partial Vacuum in passage it sufficient to cause the air pressure being exerted on valve head 60- through passage G 2 to overcome the spring 68. rThis results in new air being drawn into auxiliary tank I5. The pump will cut-off when the air pressure above the water I3 in tank l0 reaches a predetermined high value. The system will then be once again in the condition as shown in Figure 1.

As previously mentioned, the location of point I6 is very signicant in that it controls the amount of air that it is possible to introduce into the system through the air check valve 24. Point I6 accomplishes this function by reason of its height on tank I0. The preselected height of point I6 controls the amount of water that will flow through bore 40. This will, in turn, be determinative of the quantity of new air that can be drawn into auxiliary tank l5 through the air check valve 24.

While this invention has been described in specific embodiments, it is nevertheless to be understood that various changes and modications obvious to one skilled in the art can be made without departing from the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention.

I claim:

1. An air charger for an air-water pressure system that comprises storage means for storing a body of water under air pressure, auxiliary means for holding a body of water under air pressure, and communicating means between a point on said storage means and the bottom of said auxiliary means, said auxiliary means being wholly located above said point on said storage means, said communicating means including a conduit having a section of reduced cross-sectional area and air admitting means communicating with the atmosphere and said section to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system upon the passage of water from the said storage means to the said auxiliary means so that the air in said system can be maintained substantially constant.

2. An air charger for an air-water pressure system that comprises two vertically spaced storage means for water under air pressure, communicating means between the bottom of said upper storage means and said lower storage means at a point beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said communicating means including a conduit having a section of reduced cross-sectional area, and air admitting means communicating with the atmosphere and said section to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system upon the passage of Water from the lower storage means to the said upper storage means.

3. An air charger for an air-water pressure system that comprises a tank having two vertically spaced compartments, the lower of said compartments constituting space for water under air pressure, and a conduit connecting the bottom of said upper compartment with said lower compartment at a point beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said conduit having a section of reduced cross-sectional area, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system upon the passage of water from the said lower compartment to the said upper compartment.

4. An air charger for an air-Water pressure system that comprises a tank having two vertically spaced compartments, the lower of said compartments constituting space for water under air pressure, and a conduit connecting the bottom of said upper compartment with said lower compartment at a point beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said conduit having two substantially parallel longitudinal bores, one of said bores having a section of reduced cross-sectional area, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system, the other of said bores interrupted intermediate its ends to form two portions laterally offset, a plug positioned in said other bore at the point of interruption, said plug having an opening therein establishing communication between the two offset portions of said other bore, and a chck valve so disposed in said opening as to permit flow only from the said upper compartment to the said lower compartment.

5. An air charger for an air-water pressure system that comprises a tank having two vertically spaced compartments, the lower of said compartments constituting space for water under air pressure, and a conduit connecting the bottom of said upper compartment with said lower compartment at a point beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said conduit including a member intermediately disposed therein, said member having a longitudinal bore, said bore having a section of reduced cross-sectional area intermediate its ends, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system upon the passage of water from the said lower compartment to the said upper compartment.

6. An air charger for an air-water pressure system that comprises a tank having two vertically spaced compartments, the lower of said compartments constituting space for water under air pressure, and a conduit connecting the bottom of said upper compartment with said lower compartment at a point beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said conduit including a member intermediately disposed therein, said member having two substantially parallel longitudinal bores, one of said bores having a section of reduced cross-sectional area intermediate its ends, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system, the other of said bores being interrupted intermediate its ends to form two portions laterally offset, a plug positioned in said other bore at the point of interruption, said plug having an opening therein establishing oommunication between the two offset portions of said other bore, a valve seat in said opening so disposed that a valve head seated on the said valve seat will permit iiow only from the said upper compartment to the said lower compartment, and a Valve head seated on said valve seat.

'7. An air charger for an air-water pressure system that comprises a tank having two vertically spaced compartments, the lower of said compartments constituting space for water under air pressure and the upper of said compartments constituting auxiliary space, and a conduit having a vertical part connecting the bottom of said upper compartment with said lower compartment at a point a predetermined height above the bottom of said lower compartment, said point lying normally beneath the surface of the water at the highest level to be contained in said lower compartment, said conduit including a member intermediately disposed in the Vertical part of said conduit, said member having two substantially parallel vertical bores, one of said bores having a section of reduced cross-sectional area intermediate its ends, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for `the introduction of air into the said pressure system, the other of said bores being interrupted intermediate its ends to form two portions laterally offset, a plug positionedinsaid other bore at `the point of interruption, said plug having an opening therein establishing communication between the two oiset portions of said other bore, a valve seat in said opening so disposed that a valve 'head seated on the said valve seat will permit flow only from the said upper compartment to the said lower compartment, and a valve head seated on said valve seat.

8. An air charger for an air-water pressure system which comprises a storage tank and an auxiliary tank for holding water and a conduit connecting the bottom of said auxiliary tank to a point on said storage tank beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said auxiliary tank being wholly located above said point of connection to said storage tank, said conduit having a section of reduced cross-sectional area, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed ,in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system upon the passage of water from the said storage tank to the said auxiliary tank.

9. An air charger for an air-water pressure system which comprises a storage tank and an auxiliary tank for holding water and a conduit connecting the bottom of said auxiliary tank to a point on said storage tank beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said auxiliary tank being wholly located above said point of connection to said storage tank, said conduit having two substantially parallel longitudinal bores, one of said bores having a section of reduced cross-sectional area, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system, the other of said bores interrupted intermediate its ends to form two portions laterally offset, a plug positioned in said other bore at the point of interruption, said plug having an opening therein establShDg communication between the two offset D01- tions of said other bore, and a check valve so disposed in said opening as to permit flow only from the said auxiliary tank to the said storage tank.

10. An air charger for an air-water pressure system which comprises a storage tank and an auxiliary tank for holding water and a conduit connecting the bottom of said auxiliary tank to a point on said storage tank beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said auxiliary tank being wholly located above said point of connection to said storage tank, said conduit including a member intermediately disposed therein, said member having a longitudinal bore, said bore having a section of reduced cross-sectional area intermediate its ends, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system upon the passage of water from the said storage tank to the said auxiliary tank.

11. An air ycharger for an lair-water pressure system Awhich comprises a .storage tank and an auxiliary tank for holding water and a conduit connecting the bottom of said auxiliary tank to a point on said storage tank beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said auxiliary tank being wholly located above said point of connection to said storage tank, said conduit including a member intermediately disposed therein, said member having two substantially parallel longitudinal bores, one of said bores having a section of reduced cross-sectional area intermediate its ends, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system, the other of said bores being interrupted intermediate its ends to form two portions laterally oiset, a plug positioned in said other bore at the point of interruption, said plug having an opening therein establishing communication between the two offset portions of said other bore, a valve seat in said opening so disposed that a valve head seated on the said valve seat will permit ow only from the said auxiliary tank to the said storage tank, and a valve head seated on said valve seat.

12. An air charger for an air-water pressure system which comprises a storage tank and an auxiliary tank for holding water under air pressure and a conduit having a vertical part connecting the bottom of said auxiliary tank to a point on said storage tank at a point beneath the highest level of water to be contained therein, said auxiliary tank being wholly located above said point of connection to said storage tank, said conduit including a member intermediately disposed in the vertical part of said conduit, said member having two substantially parallel vertical bores, one of said bores having a section of reduced cross-sectional area intermediate its ends, a passage establishing communication between said section and the atmosphere, and a check valve so disposed in said passage as to allow for the introduction of air into the said pressure system, the other of said bores being interrupted intermediate its ends to form two portions laterally oiiset, a plug positioned in said other bore at the point of interruption, said plug having an opening therein establishing communication between the two offset portions of said other bore, a valve seat in said opening so disposed that a valve head seated on the said valve seat will permit flow only from the said auxiliary tank to the said storage tank, and a valve head seated on said valve seat.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 407,830 Loretz July 30, 1889 1,458,087 Tooley et al June 5, 1923 1,577,375 Showers Mar. 16, 1926 1,840,348 Balazinski Jan. 12, 1932 2,416,375 Kehoe Mar. 4, 1947 2,504,304 Cowan Apr. 18, 1950 2,509,130 Burks May 23, 1950 

